Erdogan Urges Gaza Ceasefire at Trilateral Summit in Istanbul

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and swift delivery of humanitarian aid during a trilateral summit in Istanbul on Friday with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, CE Report quotes Anadolu Agency

Erdogan emphasized Israel's ongoing aggression and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, reiterating that a lasting solution lies in establishing a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on 1967 borders.

The leaders discussed regional cooperation, particularly in the Mediterranean, addressing issues such as irregular migration and the need for sustainable, coordinated responses. They agreed to reconvene following the meetings of their respective cooperation committees.

Libya’s Government of National Unity highlighted the importance of economic integration, joint strategic projects, and regional partnerships in energy, infrastructure, and port development. Dbeibeh also proposed a quadrilateral ministerial meeting between Libya, Türkiye, Italy, and Qatar to tackle smuggling networks and coordinate regional efforts.

Israel's offensive in Gaza, ongoing since October 2023, has resulted in over 60,000 Palestinian deaths, most of them women and children, with widespread destruction and humanitarian collapse.